Hailing from Southwest Iowa, Sam Martin is making his mark in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Iowa State University. Raised on his family's diversified farming operation, Martin has always had a love for the agriculture industry. Now a senior in Animal Science, the two-time State FFA Officer was drawn to Iowa State for its prestigious agriculture program.
Martin praises Iowa State for having one of the premier agriculture programs in the country located right in the heart of the Midwest. He says “The incredible faculty, students, and professionals associated with the university, are leading the way and shaping the future of the agriculture industry”.
Active in a variety of organizations, including the Agriculture Business Club, Swine Producers Advocates, CALS Council, St. Thomas Aquinas (STA), and Collegiate Cattlemen, Sam has fully immersed himself in the university’s agriculture community. As a dedicated member of Collegiate Cattlemen, he has taken on leadership roles, helping to plan industry tours, coordinate monthly speakers, and organize the spring day trip for the organization.
Outside of the classroom and clubs on campus, Martin has gained valuable hands-on experience through multiple summer internships with companies like Heartland Cooperative as a crop scout, Balance Forward as an ingredient merchandising intern, and Merck Animal Health. During his most recent internship with Merck Animal Health, he focused on optimizing the U.S. beef supply chain by collaborating with producers and customers to improve efficiency. He also worked with DNA TraceBack technology to enhance traceability in the beef industry.
After graduation, Martin hopes to pursue a career in either animal health or nutrition while continuing to work on his family's farm.
If Martin had one piece of advice for incoming students, it would be to fully immerse themselves in the college experience. Reflecting on his college career, he wants to remind students to “Take your time in college and don’t rush into the next step, whether it's further education or the workforce. Focus on making the most of your college experience and the valuable connections you form along the way,” stated Martin.